Bildung & Berufliche Bildung

Around 20 per cent do not reach the minimum level for a good start in training at the end of compulsory schooling (PISA study 2018). Companies are not only noticing deficiencies in content, but also behavioural deficits and a lack of vocational orientation among applicants for a training place. All young people should be guided to a school-leaving qualification, receive a basic education that can be followed up and be able to develop their talents in the best possible way. We need all young people in Germany.

More use must be made of the activating forms of independent learning, differentiation within the group and interdisciplinary teaching. Young people must be educated - in cooperation with parents - to become independent, responsible personalities with self-confidence and the ability to work in a team. More all-day schools are necessary to further improve the individual support of pupils.

Digital education is becoming increasingly important. The "Strategy for Education in the Digital World" of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the updated standards for teacher training must be implemented quickly. Teachers must learn from the beginning of their training how to use digital media and tools didactically in all subjects. The BDA also demands this in its position paper on teacher training.

We support the goal of an inclusive school according to the principle of "as much common ground as possible, as much special support as necessary". Priority is given to the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities or disadvantages in mainstream education. Where special needs cannot be accommodated, automatic inclusion is not appropriate. Therefore, special schools should continue to be offered.
Children from educationally disadvantaged families or with a migration background often have additional support needs. Above all, systematic language support, as early as possible, is crucial for the integration of newly arrived as well as longer resident migrant children. Vocational orientation should highlight the opportunities offered by dual training more than in the past.

Teachers play a key role in the quality of educational work. For their responsible and demanding task, they need high-quality, practice-oriented training and further education. School principals also need to be adequately prepared for their tasks by qualification offers in school management, leadership and personnel development.

Schools should be able to form their own profile, select teachers, conclude contracts, cooperate with partners and manage their budget. The independent school systematically reviews the quality of its services and continues to improve. The education administration must advise the schools in this process in the best sense of a service provider. The allocation of resources to the school should be based on the head count instead of the class divisor and on a social index for schools with more difficult conditions.

The SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT network promotes exchange between schools and companies in order to smooth the transition from school to work for young people. The almost 400 local networks facilitate work placements for pupils and teachers alike, company inspections, further training and direct cooperation. The Berufswahl-SIEGEL (career choice seal) is also awarded to schools that implement outstanding career and study orientation.